Australia’s Tim Tszyu is gunning to become a two-division world champion before the year is out, with negotiations close to being finalised for a December showdown against WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on Tuesday, No Limit boss George Rose confirmed talks with Team Lara are nearing the final stages, with both camps negotiating for an Australian headliner sometime before Christmas.
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The announcement means both Tszyu boys could be contesting the biggest fights of their careers just days apart, with No Limit also in talks for 28-year-old Nikita to make his US debut in Las Vegas during early December.
While Tim Tszyu took aim at American superstar Jermell Charlo via social media over the weekend, Rose has now officially confirmed Lara as the clubhouse leader to be his next opponent.
“We’ve had great discussions with Lara’s team,” the promoter said overnight. “And I feel like something is close to being announced”.
While Rose politely declined to reveal further details, sources close to Team Tszyu have suggested an Australian headliner in December is now the most likely scenario.
While Tszyu is due to speak with media on Wednesday, new trainer Jeff Fenech has already confirmed he wants ‘The Phoenix’ back in the ring before the year is out.
The Hall of Famer and Tszyu are due to meet up next week to finalise preparations for his return, although the trainer suggested no opponent has yet been signed off.
Only seven weeks have passed since Tszyu earned his emphatic decision win over Errol Spence Jnr in Sydney.
Initially, it was suggested the former world champion would not compete again this year.
However, after an overseas holiday, Tszyu is now back in the Harbour City and readying to re-enter fight camp.
“Initially, there was talk about Tim not fighting until next January,” Fenech said on Monday. “But that’s almost six months after Spence, and I want to get Tim back in there sooner.
“Especially given the changes we’re making.
“So now there has been talk about the end of November. And once Tim returns from his break, that gives us 11 weeks, which is plenty.
“And whoever our opponent is, we have to make them fight our fight
“Because when Tim is making rival fighters adapt, I don’t believe any of them can beat him.”
Given Tszyu has previously earned the WBO super welterweight title, a win over Lara would see him join only a handful of Australians to win gold in multiple titles – including Fenech, Liam Paro and now Main Event analyst Danny Green.
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While Fenech has no preference on who Tszyu fights, the prospect of cornering him to win gold in a second weight class is obviously enticing.
“I’d love for Timmy to win world titles in two weight divisions,” the four-division world champion said. “To be with him for that, yeah, incredible.
“But whoever Tim chooses, I’ll put a plan in place.
“We’ve already been planning around a couple of opponents and I know he and [No Limit promoter] Matt Rose have some things going on.
“Ever since the Spence fight, Tim has been away. So we’ll be sitting down in the next week to nail it all out. Nothing has been finalised yet, but he and Matt have a plan and I’m happy to work with that.
“Tim is the boss. I work for him.”
Asked about fighting Lara, who at 42 is the oldest reigning world champion, and Fenech continued: “Well, I’ve looked at his age and I’ve looked at his fighting … [laughs] and Lara fights nothing like a guy who is 42.
“He’s just so skilful, so dominant.
“And the reason Lara has the record he does, it’s because he makes people fight his fight.
“He dictates, and makes you fight the way he wants you to.
“So my job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. Get Lara wondering what Tim is going to do.”